University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
19-23
Western Kentucky
31-15
Asheville opens weekend series with 3-2 win over WKU
05.03.2024 | Baseball
This weekend's series is sponsored by Jan Davis Tire
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Robbie Burnett blasted a 2-run bomb in the first inning to set the tone early, as the UNC Asheville baseball team defeated Western Kentucky University 3-2 to open the weekend series Friday evening.
Burnett's home run, his 16th of the season, helped Asheville to an early 2-0 lead, and a double by Michael Groves to score Corbin Lanowitz helped put Asheville ahead 3-0 in the fourth.
The Hilltoppers scored one run in the sixth following a sac bunt and a run in the seventh following an RBI groundout, but between Brett Johnson and Justin Needles on the mound and Asheville's defense, the Bulldogs prevented WKU from scoring any more runs.
Western Kentucky outhit Asheville 10-6, but Asheville's pitching staff combined for eight strikeouts compared to the Hilltoppers' staff's four. Burnett and Lanowitz had two hits apiece, with Burnett leading the team with two RBIs. Ty Kaufman started Asheville's offense with a hit in the bottom of the first to be on base for Burnett's homer. Groves recorded Asheville's final hit and the Bulldogs' third RBI.
Nick Bruno got the start, tossing four innings, giving up three hits, no runs, four walks and five strikeouts. Three of Bruno's walks came in the first inning, but Bruno prevented the Hilltoppers from taking an early lead with a strikeout to end the frame. Brett Johnson earned the win as he pitched four innings in relief, giving up seven hits, two runs (both earned), and striking out two. Justin Needles earned his first save of the season as he came on in relief in the ninth.
Asheville is scheduled to face WKU in game two of the series tomorrow, Saturday, May 4, at 2 p.m.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Johnson, Brett (4-3)
L: BENNETT, Jack (6-4)
S: Needles, Justin (1)
Batting:
2B: ROSS, Camden 1
RBI: CAVILL, Blake 1 ; RAE, Jaylin 1
SH: RAE, Jaylin 2
Base Running:
RUNS: HALLER, Austin 1 ; BURWASH, Eli 1
CS: O'CONNELL, Dylan 1
HBP: O'CONNELL, Dylan 1
PO: ROSS, Camden 1
Batting:
2B: Groves, Michael 1
HR: Burnett, Robbie 1
RBI: Burnett, Robbie 2 ; Groves, Michael 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kaufman, Ty 1 ; Burnett, Robbie 1 ; Lanowitz, Corbin 1
CS: Kaufman, Ty 1 ; Lanowitz, Corbin 1
